Extremely Famous

by Heather Leigh

  Oh my God! They’re talking about the accident. I look down at my right arm, pale and slightly smaller than the left from having a cast on up until last week. I run my finger down the huge, jagged scar and shiver, knowing that there are metal pins under my skin.

  My mom’s voice is near hysterical. “I can’t believe they can get away with this! We have to be able to stop them!”

  Right now, I want to die of embarrassment. Lexi walks over to me, her towel wrapped around her. “Ummm, I think I should go Sydney,” she says quietly.

  “I’m sorry Lexi.” I jump up and grab her arm as she starts to leave. “You won’t tell anyone, right?”

  She looks at me sadly. “It sounds like everyone is gonna know pretty soon Syd, but no, I won’t say anything. I know how it is.”

  I nod and she goes through the door to the kitchen. Her driver is right out front and she knows the way so I don’t bother following her.

  Angry, I storm in the house and slam the door. Stomping upstairs, I go into my room and blast the music from my stereo as loud as it will go. I know Anna, our housekeeper, saw me run up here and certainly heard me slam my bedroom door. It’s only a matter of time until someone comes and makes me turn the music off.

  “Sydney!” A loud knock on the door vibrates it in its frame. I ignore my dad and throw myself down on the bed, crying into my pillow.

  I hear the door open and my dad’s heavy footsteps as they cross over to the stereo and turn it off. The silence allows him to hear my sobs clearly. I feel the bed sink under his weight when he sits next to me.

  “Sydney, what’s going on?” he asks calmly.

  “Go away! We heard you!” I scream, turning over so I can look at my Dad.

  His eyes go wide when he realizes exactly what I was able to hear.

  “Who’s we?”

  “Lexi and me! We were swimming, you didn’t close the balcony doors Daddy! You’re both so embarrassing! Don’t you even care about me?” I choke as the tears stream down my cheeks.

  A dark look crosses my dad’s face and in a heartbeat, it’s gone. He puts his hand on my chin and tilts my face up to his, “Sydney, it’s because we care about you that we were yelling. I can’t explain it to you so it will make sense, but everything your mother and I do is because we both love you.”

  “No you don’t! I hate this! I hate that you guys fight all the time! I hate that people want to take our picture and chase us and I can’t have friends over!” I flop back down on the bed and cry.

  Daddy lies down next to me and lets me cry myself to sleep.

  ****

  CHAPTER 20

  For the second day in a row, Bruce stops the SUV in front of the brick building that houses the three-story corporate penthouse. Steve accompanies me today. He and Evan seem to be alternating days of the week to baby-sit me. Yay! I jump out of the car and Steve dutifully follows me into the elevator.

  I tug at the sleeve of my navy, lightweight wool, Gucci blazer and attempt to calm my nerves. I haven’t wanted a job this much in a long time so I say a silent prayer that the client will be easy to work with.

  We exit onto the top floor and instead of entering the code, I ring the doorbell. I don’t want to enter the property if the owner is on the premises, it would be rude. The door swings open and my heart stutters to a stop.

  Karma, it’s something that I’ve never put a lot of faith in before or even believed to exist. The notion that your deeds in a past life determine whether or not good or bad things happen to you in your next life just seems so unlikely. But when the door to the penthouse opens and I get a look at my new client, the one who specifically requested me for my dream job, the one I left Drew on tour for, I know for a fact that I must have been a real bastard in my past life.

  “Hello, Sweetheart,” the person in the doorway says.

  I stand in the hall, speechless and unable to move. My mouth is gaping open like I’m the village idiot.

  “B-but, how?” I ask.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You own Black Knight Inc.?”

  “Well of course I do. What kind of Brit would I be if I didn’t love Monty Python? Are you going to stand out there all day?” He lifts an eyebrow and stares at me with his deep hazel eyes.

  Flustered, I step inside the penthouse in complete shock. Steve sticks his hand out at the last second, preventing the door from being shut in his face.

  “I’ll be wherever Miss Tannen is if you don’t mind,” he says menacingly.

  Steve enters the foyer behind me, crossing his arms over his wide chest and glaring at the man who let us in. My new client just shrugs casually, not really caring one way or another if Steve is here or in the hall.

  I put my hands on my hips, at a total loss. “Adam Reynolds, tell me that you didn’t do this just to get me here with you!” I demand angrily.

  Adam is grinning, his stupid handsome face as smug as I’ve ever seen it. “Sydney, you’re the best. After seeing both of your designs for the Warren plus your gorgeous personal loft…” He glances at Steve when he remembers that we aren’t alone and he’s discussing being in my home. Steve stares right back at him, unflinching. “Ummm, naturally I wanted you to do my New York apartment.”

  “You. You bought this?” I make a sweeping gesture around the room. “A twenty-eight million dollar home just to hire me to remodel it?” I huff in disbelief.

  “Actually, my company bought it,” he clarifies, still giving me that infuriating smile. “I’ve been spending more time in New York than anywhere else so it makes sense to have a place of my own.” Fleetingly, his expression turns sad, in a blink and miss it moment. “There’s not much left for me in the UK these days, and I’m tired of hotels. I wanted to be near the café and my studio, both of which are just a few blocks away.”

  The more I look at him, the angrier I become. He’s wearing distressed jeans that fit snugly around his assets. His black Ramones T-shirt stretches tight across his muscled chest and arms. The tribal tattoo on his arm spirals down to his wrist, giving him a sexy, bad boy look.

  Shit, he looks hot. Now I’m really pissed.

  “I can’t believe this,” I hiss, pacing the room. I want to design this space more than anything, but I can’t work with Adam. Drew would flip out if he even knew I was here with Adam for this meeting!

  Adam takes a step closer to me and I hold up a hand to stop him. His face crumples in hurt and confusion. “I thought we were friends, Sydney.”

  He really has no clue how pissed I am? How fucked up this is? “Don’t give me that sad face Adam! After what you did at my Dad’s premiere, I highly doubt that we’re still friends,” I snap.

  “Really?” he says in a cocky voice. “Your boyfriend needs to have more faith in you if me winding him up is going to make him go mental.”

  “You’re doing this on purpose to piss him off!” I snarl. “Just like you antagonized him at the theater! Being a dick to Drew isn’t a very good way to be my friend.”

  Adam flinches back and seems to think that over. “You’re right, of course. I’m a stupid prick Sydney. Sorry. I really need your help with my new place. Can we just discuss it before you tell me to fuck off?” He looks sincere, but I still don’t trust him. I want this job though. Badly.

  “Fine. We’ll discuss the apartment, then I’ll decide if I can work with you or not.” I say it as professionally as I can manage, which isn’t much due to the fact that I’m pissed as hell at him.

  “This way Sweetheart,” Adam says as he ushers me into the sitting area.

  I glare at him. “Don’t call me that, please.”

  “Alright, alright, don’t get your knickers in a twist.” He gives me that exasperating, devilishly handsome smile again.

  “Grrrrrr!” I scream. “You are so damn frustrating!” I stomp into the magnificent living space and throw myself down on the couch.

  Steve’s eyes never leave us while we discuss Adam’s vision for the apartment. It turns out that his vi
sion is for me to do whatever I want. Free reign and an unlimited budget! It’s all I can do not to drool onto his expensive hardwood floors.

  “So Syd, what do you think? Fancy working for me?”

  “Actually, everything about this project is perfect.” I meet Adam’s expectant gaze. “Except for the fact that it’s you.”

  “Ouch,” he says with mock indignation, covering his heart with his hand.

  “Fortunately for you, I really want to get my hands on this penthouse. When do you want me to start?”

  Adam’s perfectly stubbled face breaks out in a huge grin. “Brilliant Sydney, just brilliant. Straight away of course.”

  I get up and extend my hand to Adam. He stands and shakes it enthusiastically, then tugs on my hand until I’m pressing against his chest. Before I can say a word, he’s wrapped his arms around me in a tight hug.

  Steve clears his throat at the same time as I shove Adam away from me. “Don’t do that! You can’t be all touchy-feely with me, Adam.”

  He smiles his annoying gorgeous smile at me and says nothing, but he does release me from his embrace. At least I won’t have to watch Steve pound him into next week while I stand there helplessly.

  “If you can keep your hands to yourself I’ll come up with some ideas and see you in a few days. Does that sound good?”

  “I promise, hands to myself Sydney.” He puts them behind his back to emphasize his understanding. “See you then,” Adam grins. “Oh, and we should exchange numbers, you know, so you can ring me if you have any questions.”

  The mischievous glint in his eyes has me thinking that maybe this isn’t the best decision I’ve ever made.

  CHAPTER 21

  Steve ushers me into the SUV idling by the curb in front of Adam’s building. Drew won’t be getting back to the brownstone until 4pm at the earliest, so I have a couple of hours to kill and plot how to break this news to him.

  “Bruce, can we swing by my loft? I have a few things I’d like to get.” I lean toward the driver as he pulls out into traffic.

  “Sure thing Sydney. It’s just, ummm,” Bruce sounds really uncomfortable with whatever he wants to say.

  I roll my eyes, knowing what he’s trying to get at. “Steve will be coming upstairs with me, Bruce. I’ll need help bringing some things down anyway.”

  I can see Bruce’s eyes crinkle up in the rearview mirror as the back of his neck turns red, an embarrassed smile. At least he’s polite about keeping me safe, unlike Drew who can get ruthlessly rude.

  The two block drive takes less than five minutes and we’re stopping in front of my loft. I’m shocked to see that there isn’t a single photographer in sight.

  “Hey Richard!” I call out to my doorman as I hop down onto to the sidewalk.

  His eyes widen in surprise. “Miss Tannen! You’re a sight for sore eyes, beautiful as always.”

  “You’re always saying such nice things Richard. How has everything been?” It seems like forever since I’ve been here even though it’s only been a week.

  “Everything has been fine, but now that you’re here the world is right again.” I almost feel normal. Then I catch a glance of Steve behind me and the moment evaporates.

  “Well, unfortunately I can’t stay long. I’m just getting a few things. Is my mail at the concierge?”

  “I believe it is, Miss Tannen.” Richard opens the door so I can enter. He doesn’t even flinch when Steve’s huge form follows me into the lobby. He’s used to seeing Steve or one of the other guys by now. It’s second nature, I’m sure.

  I turn back to Richard before the door closes. “Richard, has the press been… I don’t know, around more recently?”

  “They left the day you flew out to L.A. I don’t think they know you’re back in New York or else they’d most certainly be here today.”

  I notice the sympathy in his kind eyes. Briefly, I wonder if he thinks I’m crazy for ever coming out of my protective bubble of privacy. Hell, sometimes I think I’m crazy for doing it as well.

  “Thanks Richard, hopefully they don’t find out I’m in the city.” Steve collects a few packages that are at the desk for me and I sort through the stack of mail as we take the elevator to the 8th floor.

  I toss the mail onto the pile on my desk in the home office and sit in the comfortable leather chair. Spinning it around, I face the windows and stare out at the cloudy cityscape. Adam Reynolds, fuck! Drew is going to lose his shit.

  I sigh and roll my chair close enough to the window to press my forehead on the cool glass. Memories of the minutes, no hours I’ve spent in this position come flooding back. I can’t allow panic to take over my life again. I can be strong enough to face anything, can’t I?

  Pushing back from the window, I turn and gather some items that I’ll need to work on Adam’s penthouse. I carelessly throw everything into a large rolling case that I use to haul my sample books and swatches around. I grab the stack of mail and cram it in the case with the books.

  “Steve, here’s one piece that needs to go down,” I call out. Steve appears from the hallway where he was waiting patiently. “I’ll need to get some clothes, do you want to bring this down and come back up or should we call concierge to come and get it?”

  He gives me a look that lets me know he isn’t going to leave me alone in the loft.

  I huff loudly. “Fine.” Stomping into the hall, I push the intercom and ask the desk to send someone up to retrieve my bag. “They’re on their way. I’ll be in the bedroom.”

  Steve nods as I pass and he takes the rolling bag over to the door to wait for the front desk. I make quick work of the closet, tossing some clothes onto the bed along with a few pairs of shoes. As I stuff everything into a large suitcase I wonder how long Drew expects me to stay at his place.

  I need to ask him when he gets back because I really prefer to sleep here. Drew’s four story brownstone is beautiful and safe, but it doesn’t feel like home. It’s not as cozy as my loft, plus it has a floor that’s at street level, which makes me nervous considering the press can get out of control sometimes.

  I drag the giant bag out of my room. “I’m ready.”

  “I’ll get it,” Steve says as he easily maneuvers the heavy suitcase that I was struggling with.

  “Oh, just one more thing.” I hurry into the kitchen, leaving Steve in the foyer by the front door.

  I’ll need to steel myself to speak with Drew about Adam. It’s going to be awful. Grabbing a small glass from the cabinet I pour a nice sized shot of Patrón and slam it, grimacing from the taste. Yuk, I shouldn’t do that without a lime. I rinse the glass and put it back in the cabinet.

  “Okay, let’s go.” Steve gives me the side-eye as I pass him and walk through the door. I know that he is fully aware that I just had alcohol, I just don’t give a shit. I’m an adult and it’s none of his business.

  We close the door of my home for the last six years and head back to Chelsea.

  I’m sitting at Drew’s desk in his office when I get a text.

  Drew

  I glance at the message. Going out means that I don’t have to tell him about Adam yet. That’s too tempting to pass up.

  Me

  It only takes a second for him to type back.

  Drew

  Okay, the little x’s and o’s make me feel a bit guilty for not wanting to mention the owner of my new project, the dream project that any designer would kill to have.

  Well, it’s not my fault that Drew is so irrational when it comes to Adam. Except for at my Dad’s premiere when he purposely provoked Drew, Adam has been nothing but friendly. No weird looks, no weird words, he’s never even asked me out for God’s sake!

  I don’t have a lot of friends, so it kind of pisses me off that they can’t get along. Whatever, it’s not my problem that they can’t act like adults. I want this job and I’m doing it, even if it leads to
an almighty fight with Drew. I’ll allow the bodyguards and not staying at my loft temporarily if he thinks it’s best, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to pick and choose friends and jobs based on his insecurities.

  My phone chirps again, startling me out of my internal rant.

  Drew

  I have to admit, Jane is good. Not a lot of people could manage a private room at one of the top restaurants in New York City on three hours’ notice. La Cantina is a very popular restaurant that serves Northern Italian cuisine and is known for the extensive wine selection in their cellar.

  They must get stuck in terrible traffic because by the time Bruce gets Drew back to the brownstone, it’s already 6pm. I hear him come up the stairs from the garage so I head down to greet him.

  “Hey, traffic was bad?” I ask as I enter the kitchen.

  Drew drops his bag and comes over to me, wrapping his arms around my small frame and crushing me to his large one. His unique smell surrounds me and I relax into his embrace.

  “Miss me?” I say half-joking as I lay my head on his chest.

  Drew pulls back to look into my eyes. “You have no idea.” He leans down and slants his mouth over mine, sliding his tongue into its depths. He kisses me like he hasn’t seen me in months, not days and I wonder what he’s thinking that has him acting like this.

  When he stops, he takes my hand and tugs me toward the stairs. “I have to take a quick shower and change. Come upstairs with me. I don’t want to be apart any more than we have to.” His face is so hopeful, how can I say no?

  I let him lead me up the two flights to the master bedroom and wait on the bed while he showers, checking my email from my phone. There’s one from Bethany.

  To: Sydney Tannen

  From: Bridget Williams

  Sydney,

  I’m glad you decided to take the Black Knight penthouse project. I am so jealous of you! The owner has arranged for Architectural Digest to do an article when it’s complete! This is a HUGE deal for you and for the firm. Call me to talk about it!